Tension brake assembly for stringing conductors

ABSTRACT

A brake assembly employing a plurality of upper and lower friction sheaves having edge aligned overlapping relationship for frictionally gripping a conductor therebetween. A fair-lead housing is mounted on the infeed end of the brake assembly and employs a horizontal axis guide roller with which the conductor is in engagement forward of the infeed end for feeding to the brake assembly. The guide roller is supported for a combined vertical and longitudinal adjustment relative to the infeed end of the brake assembly for varying the angle at which the conductor engages the first friction sheave in the brake means. Such roller is supported on a hinged carrier capable of being swung outwardly, whereby to displace the roller from the housing for the purpose of laying a conductor flatwise into the fair-lead housing for subsequent engagement with the brake means. The fairlead housing also has at least one pair of upright rollers providing longitudinal guiding of the conductor through the fairlead housing, and a top opening is provided in the housing between these rollers so that a conductor can be laid flatwise in the housing. Hinged plate means engage the upper end of the upright guide rollers in one position thereof to connect them to the fair-lead housing and in another position to be out of the plane of the top opening. The fair-lead housing and other conductor engaging means therein are formed of electrically conductive material and are arranged to be connected to a ground line for electrically grounding the conductor.

United States Patent Bright 1 TENSION BRAKE ASSEIWBLY FOR STRING INGCONDUCTORS Inventor: William L. Bright, 0605 SW. Curry Street, Portland,Oreg.

Filed: Aug. 12, 1970 Appl. No.: 63,105

US. Cl. ..226/90, 226/199, 226/ 195 Int. Cl. ..B65h 59/06 Field ofSearch ....242/l54; 254/1343; 226/176,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1969 Landsem ..242/1541/1964 Landsern..; ..242/154 Primary Examiner-Allen N. KnowlesAttorney-Eugene M. Eckelman [57] ABSTRACT therebetween. A fair-leadhousing is mounted on the infeed end i of the brake assembly and employsa horizontal axis guide roller with which the conductor is in engagementforward of the infeed end for feeding to the brake assembly. The guideroller is supported for a combined vertical and longitudinal adjustmentrelative to the infeed end of the brake assembly for varying the angleat which the conductor engages the first friction sheave in the brakemeans. Such roller is supported on a hinged carrier capable of beingswung outwardly, whereby to displace the roller from the housing for thepurpose of laying a conductor flatwise into the fair-lead housing forsubsequent engagement with the brake means. The fair-lead housing alsohas at least one pair of upright rollers providing longitudinal guidingof the conductor'through the fair-lead housing, and a top opening isprovided in the housing between these rollers so that a conductor can belaid flatwise in the housing. Hinged plate means engage the upper end ofthe upright guide rollers in one position thereof to connect them to thefair-lead housing and in another position to be out of the plane of thetop opening. The fair-lead housing and other conductor engaging meanstherein are formed of electrically conductive material and are arrangedto be connected to a ground line for electrically grounding theconductor.

10 ClainsJDrawing Figures 0 is e 26 14 ALLA PATENTEDHHVZB 1912 W 2 BF 23.703.980

FIG. 2

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WILLIAMI L. BRIGHT p//////////l//"/////////r n.

ATTY.

TENSION BRAKE ASSEMBLY FOR STRINGING CONDUCTORS This invention relatesto new and useful improvements in tension brake assemblies for stringingconductors.

According to the present invention and forming a primary objectivethereof, a tension brake assembly for stringing conductors is providedhaving a novel combination of brake means and fair-lead for feeding theconductor into the brake means.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide afair-lead housing for a brake assembly of the type described wherein thefair-lead comprises a housing having a horizontal axis guide rollerarranged for adjustment capable of varying the input angle of theconductor into the brake means, and furthermore to provide structure incombination with such guide roller wherein the latter is .adapted to beswung'out of the housing, thus providing a fair-lead constructionadapted to receive a conductor flatwise thereinto in initial installedposition. g

A further object is to provide in a structure of the type describedadditional guide means in the form of upright rollers for providinglongitudinal guiding for the conductor, the housing for the rollershaving a top opening between said rollers for receiving the conduc torflatwise in its initial installation.

Still another object is to provide a tension brake assembly forstringing conductors of the type described which is adapted to serve asan electrical ground connection between the conductor and ground.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects andadvantages will become apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompany drawings which illustrate a preferred formof the device.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a vehicle showing thepresent brake assembly mounted thereon; I

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the brake assembly enlargedrelative to FIG. 1 and having parts thereof broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken on the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 77 ofFIG. 2.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the tension brake assemblyof the invention comprises generally a braking portion 10 and afair-lead portion 12. These portions are supported on a base 14 adaptedto be supported on the bed of a vehicle or the like at its front end byan integral foot member 16, FIGS. 1 and 2, and at its rearward end by adepending leg 18 pivotally connected to a bracket 20. Bracket 20 isadapted to be secured to the vehicle by a single rear stud 22 whichallows the bracket to pivot in a lateral direction. By means of thepivotal connection of the bracket to the vehicle and the pivotalconnection of the base 14 to the bracket, the device can pivot to anyposition required when it is operating in conductor reeling or holdingfunctions. Bracket 20 has an angled front foot 24 which assists in thesupport of the base 14.

Base 14 supports a plurality of friction sheaves 26 along one sidethereof in longitudinal edge alignment, and as illustrated in FIG. 3,these sheaves are mounted on cross shafts 28 journaled in bearings 30secured to the base 14. Sheaves 26 are keyed or otherwise secured to theshafts 28 for rotation therewith. Although not illustrated in detailherein, one or more of the shafts 28 has brake means 32 of anyconventional construction associated therewith to control rotation ofthe bottom sheaves.

Supported on the base 14 is a carrier frame 34 which similar to saidbase, FIG. 4, may comprise a U-shaped member, but inverted. Carrierframe 34 is pivotally supported on the base 14 by upstanding links 36.These links are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the baseand to the carrier frame by pivot pins 38, FIGS. 2 and 4, and hold thecarrier frame in upwardly spaced, parallel relation to the base. Sincethe carrier frame is supported on upstanding pivoted links, it willtravel in an arcuate path when moved longitudinally. This carrier framesupports a plurality of friction sheaves 40 on cross shafts 42, FIG. 2,journaled in suitable bearings not shown. Friction sheaves 40 aredisposed in vertical edge alignment with the sheaves 26 and upon pivotedmovement of the carrier 34 on its links 36, such friction sheaves arearranged to be moved into longitudinally offset position relative to thesheaves 26 to crimp a conductor C supported on the sheaves as shown inFIG. 2.

Friction sheaves 26 and 40 have peripheral edge grooves 44, FIGS. 2 and3, and this groove portion of the sheaves is lined or otherwise providedwith a friction surface, such as rubber, so that when a conductor C orthe like is supported on sheaves 26, as shown in FIG. 2, a frictionalgrip can be obtained on the conductor by lowering the carrier 34sufficiently to crimp the conductor between the upper and lower sheaves.This crimped condition of the conductor provides a controlled movementof the latter through the apparatus. That is, the carrier 34 is loweredto a position to provide a non-sliding frictional engagement of thesheaves with the conductor reeved therethrough, and by selectivelyapplying the brake means 32 to the sheaves 26 the conductor can beanchored in a set position or allowed to move axially at a selectedspeed. The overlapping of the upper sheaves relative to the lowersheaves to obtain the necessary friction connection with the conductoris determined by the diameter and flexibility of conductor associatedtherewith. That is, a large conductor does not need as much crimping asa small one to provide non-sliding engagement with the opposed sheavesand thus the overlapping relationship of the upper and lower sheaves isless.

Longitudinal positioning of the carrier 34 is accomplished by a drivescrew 46 having a crank handle 48. The screw 46 has threaded engagementin a nut 50, FIG. 2, pivotally attached to the carrier frame 34 by stubshafts 52 supported in the carrier. The lower end of the screw- 46passes freely through a block 54 pivotally supported on the base 14 bycross shaft 56. Collars 58 are secured to the screw on opposite sides ofthe block 54 to provide an anchored connection to the base. Uponrotation of the screw, the carrier is adjusted longitudinally in itsarcuate movement for the desired positioning.

The fair-lead 12 is provided at the infeed end of the present device forguiding the conductor C into the infeed area or opening between thesheaves 26 and 40. In addition to providing a selected positioning ofthe conductor with relation to the infeed end of the brake assembly, thefair-lead 12 is designed to provide easy insertion of an end of theconductor in the fair-lead for subsequent axial movement into the brakeassembly.

To accomplish the intended purpose, the fair-lead comprises an L-shapedframe 60, FIG. 4, secured to the base 14 as by bolts 62. Upright hollowrectangular frames 64 and 66, FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, are secured as bywelding to opposite ends of the main fair-lead frame 60. Each of theseframes has a longitudinally extending opening 68, FIGS. 3 and 7, in itstop wall. Rotatably supported in eachof the frames 64 and 66 is a pairof laterally spaced, uprightguide rollers 70, FIGS. 6 and 7. Theserollers are disposed on opposite sides of the openings 68 and have endstub shaft portions 72 with journaled engagement in upper and lowerportions of the respective frames 64 and 66. Rollers 70 from a slottherebetween and to guide a conductor longitudinally through the fairlead means for movement endwise into the brake assembly 12.

Since the frames 64 and 66 have top openings 68 it is desired thatreinforcements be provided against severe lateral strain which may becaused if the conductor is fed in from a wide side angle, and for thispurpose lateral ties in the form of plates 74, FIGS. 3 and 7, have ahinged connection 76 with the fair-lead frame 60 and have apertures 78arranged freely to receive upstanding shaft ends 72 of the rollers 70.By means of such construction, a conductorcan be initially moved downflatwise in the fair-lead through the openings 68 by first opening theplates 70 to the phantom line positions of FIGS. 4 and 7. After theconductor has been installed, the plates are lowered to provide for toplateral reinforcement of the frames 66.

The end frame 64 supports a horizontal cross roller 80 best shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 6. This roller is carried on end stub shafts 82 journaledin the side walls of frame member 64. The roller 80 is supportedadjacent the bottom of frame 64 as seen in FIG. 2, and serves to holdthe conductor from engagement with bottom frame portions of thefair-lead.

Conductor guiding means in the fairJead portion also comprises ahorizontal axis roller 84, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, which serves principally asa vertical guide for the conductor through the fair-lead. Such roller isadjustable vertically to also serve to control the angle at which theconductor is fed to the first sheave 26. Further yet roller 84 isassociated with structure which allows it to be swung laterally out ofthe fair-lead housing so that the conductor can be laid flatwise in thefair lead housing from the top in an initial installation as mentioned.To accomplish the above purposes, the roller 84 is supported on'atransverse shaft 86, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, mounted at its opposite ends inan inverted U.- shaped carrier 88 the outer leg of which has an integralinternally threaded eye 90 threadedly supported on an elongated tiltedadjusting screw 92 extending longitudinally of the assembly. Screw 92has rotatable support at its opposite ends in ear members 94 secured tothe opposite end frames 64, 66. In a preferred construction,'the cars 94have a bolted connection 96, FIGS. 3- 6, with small plates 98 welded orotherwise secured to the respective end frames 64 and 66. Such boltedconnection of ears 94 to plates 98 provides for installation of thescrew 92 or removal if necessary. Screw 92 carries a pair of integralheads 100 spaced inwardly from the journaled ends of the screw, and suchheads are shaped for engagement by a wrench or the like for tuming thescrew. I

The U-shaped carrier 88 being supported solely on the. screw 92 can beswung outwardly to the phantom line position of FIG. 4 whereby theroller 84 will be substantially removed from the housing for insertionof a line into the fair-lead structure from the top. Carrier 88 islatched in its u'pright use position by a laterally extending latchfinger 102 pivotally connected to the upper wall of the carrier 88 by apivot bolt 103. Secured integrally to the latch finger 102 and at rightangles thereto is a handle 104 which is adapted to be grasped by theoperator to pivot the latch finger 102. In one pivoted position .of thelatch finger, one end thereof is arranged to move under a longitudinallyextending latch bar 106 secured integrally to the main frame of thefair-lead structure at an inclined angle similar to screw 92. In thelocked position of the latch finger 102, wherein it is hooked under thelatch bar 106, the carrier 88 for the roller 84 is held in its operativeposition wherein a conductor C is guided into the brake assembly by theroller 84. When the latch finger 102 is rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, namely to the phantom line position of FIG. 3, the saidfinger is disengaged from latch bar 106 and the carrier 88 is thus freeto swing to its phantom lineposition shown in FIG. 4.

As best viewed in FIG. 4, the outer end 107 of latch finger 102terminates substantially flush with the outer side of the carrier 88 anda spring plate 108 is secured to the outer side of said carrier to bearfrictionally against the end 107 of finger 102. To move the latch fingerto its open position, it must be forcefully pivoted comerwise past thespring plate 108, the latter thus insuring positioning of the latchfinger in its closed position. A stop pin 109 is secured to the top ofcarrier 88, FIG. 3, and projects into the path of the latch finger 102in a selective arrangement such that the latter engages the pin whenfully closed to prevent accidental movement of said finger beyond itsclosed position. The position of the stop pin is such that it will alsobe engaged by the latch finger in the open position of the latter.

In the operation of the present device, it may be mounted on the bed ofa vehicle 1 14 or any other suitable support. For this purpose,attaching bolt 22 is secured to the vehicle and as stated hereinbeforeallows pivotal movement of the bracket 20 laterally so that the deviceis capable of aligning itself with the paying out direction of theconductor. The base 14 can pivot up or down on its bracket and furtheralign itself to the paying out direction of the conductor. FIG. 1illustrates one use of the present invention, comprising a brakingcontrol for conductors being strung on poles as it is fed from a supplyroll 116 on the vehicle. As the device is set up, the ground 112 isestablished andthe connection made to the frame. To initially installthe free end of a line from the supply roll 116, the latch finger 102 isdisengaged from the latch bar 106 by suitable rotation thereof and theroller 84 then swung with itscarrier 88 to an outer position. The topplates 74 are swung upwardly on their hinges 76 to the phantom lineposition of FIGS. 4 and 7. The free end of the conductor can then belaid flatwise into the fair-lead structure from the top whereupon it canbe fed into the first sheave 26 and through the brake assembly. The topcarrier frame 34 is backed off an amount to permit the line to bethreaded freely through the sheaves 26 and 40, and after-such threadinghas been accomplished the parts can be set for operation, namely, thetop plates 74 of the fair-lead structure closed and the roller 84 andits carrier swung inwardly. Roller 84 engages the line as it is swunginwardly and upon sufficient manual pressure on the handle 104 bothdownward and rotatably the latch finger 102 can be moved under the latchbar 106. The crimp position of the top carrier frame 34 and the roller84 is set according to the size and type of line, it being desired thatthe crimping be such that the conductor will be frictionally set againstaxial movement and will not move if the brakes on the bottom sheaves areset. Thereupon, the conductor can be unreeled under control of thebrakes 32.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A tension brake assembly for stringing conductors comprising,

a. a base,

b. control means on said base having an infeed end for receiving aconductor in axial movement and for controlling such axial movement,

c. a fair-lead housing on said base forward of said infeed end,

. and guide means in said fair-lead housing for controlling the axialline of feed of a conductor into said infeed end,

. said guide means being movably supported in said housing between twopositions one of which comprises a guiding position for controlling theaxial line of feed of the conductor in the infeed and the other of whichcomprises an out of way position allowing a conductor to be moved intosaid housing through the top of the latter in a direction perpendicularto the axis of the conductor.

. The tension brake assembly of claim 1 wherein said guide meanscomprises a roller mounted in said housing on a lateral axis andarranged such that a conductor in engagement therewith extends angularlyfrom said roller into said infeed end,

. said guide means including support means for said roller arranged toadjust the latter in a direction toward and away from said inlet end aswell as in a direction perpendicular thereto,

c. said support means being pivotally attached to said housing andarranged to allow said roller to be moved between its tow positions.

3. The tension brake assembly of claim 2 wherein a. the lateral axis ofsaid roller is substantially horizontal, 7

b. and means defining an upright guide slot in said housing between saidcontrol means and said guide means to provide lateral guidance for aconductor.

4. The tension brake assembly of claim 2 including a. a pair of parallelspaced upright rollers in said housing between said control means andsaid guide means forming a top opening guide slot therebetween toprovide lateral guidance for a conductor,

b. and a connector for said rollers at the upper end thereof to hold thelatter in spaced relation,

0. said connector being movable between two position one of whichcomprises a connecting position between said rollers and the other ofwhich comprises an out of the way position allowing a conductor to bemoved down into said slot from the top.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein a. said control means at the inletend comprises a first frictional wheel arranged to receive a conductorin surface engagement,

said control means also comprising a second friction wheel disposed inlongitudinally offset, overlapping relation with the said firstfrictional wheel for crimping a conductor over the latter wheel tofrictionally grip the conductor,

. said guide means being adjustable radially relative to said firstfriction wheel for positioning it in a similar crimping position to saidfirst friction wheel and said second friction wheel.

. The tension brake assembly of claim 1 wherein said guide means ismounted in said housing on a longitudinally extending support member,

. said guide means being pivotally mounted on said support member formovement between said two positions and also being adjustablelongitudinally on said support member for positioning it at differentdistances from said infeed end.

7. The tension brake assembly of claim 6 wherein said support membercomprises a screw and the pivotal connection of said guide means to saidsupport member comprises a threaded connection whereby upon adjustablerotation of said screw, said guide means is adjusted longitudinallyrelative to said infeed end.

8. A tension brake assembly for stringing conductors comprising a. abase,

b. control means on said base having an infeed end for receiving aconductor in axial movement and for controlling said axial movement,

c. a longitudinally extending support member on said base forward ofsaid infeed end,

d. and guide means on said support member for controlling the axial lineof feed of a conductor into said infeed end,

e. said guide means being adjustable longitudinally on said supportmember for positioning it at different distances from said infeed end.

9. The tension brake assembly of claim 8 wherein said support member istilted whereby upon longitudinal adjustable movement of said guide meanson said support member, said guide means is positioned at differentdistances from said infeed end and also at different heights relativethereto.

10. The tension brake assembly of claim 9 wherein said support membercomprises a screw and said guide means is threadedly supported on saidscrew for said longitudinal adjustment.

1. A tension brake assembly for stringing conductors comprising, a. abase, b. control means on said base having an infeed end for receiving aconductor in axial movement and for controlling such axial movement, c.a fair-lead housing on said base forward of said infeed end, d. andguide means in said fair-lead housing for controlling the axial line offeed of a conductor into said infeed end, e. said guide means beingmovably supported in said housing between two positions one of whichcomprises a guiding position for controlling the axial line of feed ofthe conductor in the infeed and the other of which comprises an out ofway position allowing a conductor to be moved into said housing throughthe top of the latter in a direction perpendicular to the axis of theconductor.
 2. The tension brake assembly of claim 1 wherein a. saidguide means comprises a roller mounted in said housing on a lateral axisand arranged such that a conductor in engagement therewith extendsangularly from said roller into said infeed end, b. said guide meansincluding support means for said roller arranged to adjust the latter ina direction toward and away from said inlet end as well as in adirection perpendicular thereto, c. said support means being pivotallyattached to said housing and arranged to allow said roller to be movedbetween its tow positions.
 3. The tension brake assembly of claim 2wherein a. the lateral axis of said roller is substantially horizontal,b. and means defining an upright guide slot in said housing between saidcontrol means and said guide means to provide lateral guidance for aconductor.
 4. The tension brake assembly of claim 2 including a. a pairof parallel spaced upright rollers in said housing between said controlmeans and said guide means forming a top opening guide slot therebetweento provide lateral guidance for a conductor, b. and a connector for saidrollers at the upper end thereof to hold the latter in spaced relation,c. said connector being movable between two position one of whichcomprises a connecting position between said rollers and the other ofwhich comprises an out of the way position allowing a conductor to bemoved down into said slot from the top.
 5. The structure of claim 1wherein a. said control means at the inlet end comprises a firstfrictional wheel arranged to receive a conductor in surface engagement,b. said control means also comprising a second friction wheel disposedin longitudinally offset, overlapping relation with the said firstfrictional wheel for crimping a conductor over the latter wheel tofrictionally grip the conductor, c. said guide means being adjustableradially relative to said first friction wheel for positioning it in asimilar crimping position to said first frictioN wheel and said secondfriction wheel.
 6. The tension brake assembly of claim 1 wherein a. saidguide means is mounted in said housing on a longitudinally extendingsupport member, b. said guide means being pivotally mounted on saidsupport member for movement between said two positions and also beingadjustable longitudinally on said support member for positioning it atdifferent distances from said infeed end.
 7. The tension brake assemblyof claim 6 wherein said support member comprises a screw and the pivotalconnection of said guide means to said support member comprises athreaded connection whereby upon adjustable rotation of said screw, saidguide means is adjusted longitudinally relative to said infeed end.
 8. Atension brake assembly for stringing conductors comprising a. a base, b.control means on said base having an infeed end for receiving aconductor in axial movement and for controlling said axial movement, c.a longitudinally extending support member on said base forward of saidinfeed end, d. and guide means on said support member for controllingthe axial line of feed of a conductor into said infeed end, e. saidguide means being adjustable longitudinally on said support member forpositioning it at different distances from said infeed end.
 9. Thetension brake assembly of claim 8 wherein said support member is tiltedwhereby upon longitudinal adjustable movement of said guide means onsaid support member, said guide means is positioned at differentdistances from said infeed end and also at different heights relativethereto.
 10. The tension brake assembly of claim 9 wherein said supportmember comprises a screw and said guide means is threadedly supported onsaid screw for said longitudinal adjustment.